Box



Feb. 16, 1937. l R F WEBER 2,071,096 v BOX Filed May 22, 1955 f4 j W Figi Patented Feb. 16, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application May 22,

4 Claims.

This invention relates to knock-down receptacles or crates, and more particularly to means for assembling and securing the separate panels or sections of the completed receptacle or crate.

Numerous plates, fasteners or clips have been used in assembling knock-down receptacles or crates, and heretofore it has been necessary to perform secondary or auxiliary operations after assembly to insure a perfectly nished receptacle. Such auxiliary operations may include hammering, punching, crimping, pressing, etc.

It is an object of this invention to eliminate auxiliary and secondary operations in assembling knock-down receptacles or crates by providing a securing or fastening means that is practicable and complete in one assembling operation.

Another object is to provide a resilient gripping clip or fastening means that is simple in construction, yet thoroughly suitable for a ready and quick assembly of the separate panels or sections of a knock-down receptacle or crate.

Another object is to provide a clip of such a shape and strength as to insure constant gripping of the separate panels or sections after assembly.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description of the drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a plan View of a receptacle or crate in assembled form, being shown with its cover removed, and embodying the improved securing element;

Figure 2 is a side sectional View of the same taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, and showing the cover in place;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of the bottom and end and side panels in separate relation;

Figure 4 is an oblique perspective detail View of one of the clips used in assembly;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, showing a modified form of clip; and,

Figure 6 is a View similar to Figure 3, employing the modified clip in position.

In the drawing a receptacle is shown generally at IU, having a bottom panel or section II, and adjacent end panels or sections I2, and side panels or sections I3. The bottom panel II is reenforced by strips I I on its under side. A top or cover I4 is included in Figure 2.

At each end of the bottom panel II and on its upper surface, as best shown in Figures 2 and 3 are securing means for securing the end panels I2 thereto, said securing means being in the form of a pair of spaced members such as the inner and outer strips or battens I5 and I 5', and

1935, Serial No. 22,812

resilient gripping means such as the securing elements or clips I6. As best shown in Figure 1, the side panels I3 are each provided at either end with a similar securing means comprising inner and outer strips I 'I and I1 and 5 the clips I 6. The strips I5 and I5 and Il and I'I preferably extend across the entire width of the bottom and side panels II and I3 respectively to alford reenforcement besides another function to appear later.

As shown in Figures l, 2, 3, and 4 the securing means or clip I6 is formed as an angular metal member with a base portion I8 having at its outer end and substantially at right angles thereto, a bent up portion or lip i9, and at its inner end and substantially parallel to the lip I9, a bent up extension or leg 2U. The bent up leg 20 is further bent over at its upper end to form an acute angular projection or gripping portion 2|.

As best shown in Figures 2 and 3 the clips I6 are secured to the bottom panel by the outer strips I 5 across the base portions I8 and between tne bent up lip I9 and the leg 2U, leaving sufiicient space between the inner edge of the strip I5 and the leg 2li to allow insertion of the end panels I 2 therebetween and past the angular projections or gripping portions 2 I. 'I'he clips I6 are preferably made of spring steel of sufficienti strength and resiliency to insure a constant grip as the angular projections 2I engage the end panels I2. The clips I6 are similarly secured to the side panels I3 by the outer strips I 'I, also allowing for the insertion of the end panels I2.

The securing element or clip 22 shown in Figures 5 and 6 is a modified construction of the clip I6 shown in Figure 4, having the base portion I8, and the bent up portion and extension or lip I9 and leg 2t. In the clip 22, the bent up extension or leg 2G is further extended and rolled over at 2U', being further bent out to form the acute angular projection or gripping portion 2|. This rounded portion Ztl increases the spring or resiliency of the angular projection 2l affording a better grip upon engaging an inserted panel.

The separate panels or sections of knock-down receptacles or crates of the class described are usually out and manufactured at a mill, and are completed in every respect but assembly, as is well known to those skilled in the art. A number of panels suiicient to assemble one receptacle or crate are included together, and the receptacle in that condition is termed knocked-down; that is, enough sections to be readily assembled. The securing means that is the subject of this invention facilitates ready assembly when the receptacle or crate is to be utilized in packing or shipping.

The procedure usually followed at the mill or place of manufacture consists of forming the bottom panels or sections with the reenforcing strips I I', the spaced members or battens I5 and I5', and the securing elements or clips IS or 22 in place.V The side panels or sections are simiiarly completed with the spaced members I'l and il and the securing elements I6 or 22 in place. The end panels or sections I2 and the top or cover Iii are formed with sufcient reenforcement and are included with the other panels and sections as one unit for assembling one receptacle or crate.

When the receptacle or crate is to be used for packing or shipping the separate panels or sections are assembled. The opposite edges of the end panels or sections are inserted from above between the strips Il and ll and the clips IS or 22 on the adjacent side panels or sections in such a manner as will engage the angular projections 2l or 2l with the inner surfaces of the end panels l2.

The resilient construction of the clips I6 or 22 causes the angular projections 2i or 2l to grip or to bite into the end panels I2, holding the end panelssecurely adjacent the side panels I3 and between corresponding strips or battens I'I and Il. It is obvious that an attempt to pull out or loosen the end panels I2 from the side panels I3 only results in the acute angular portions 2| or 2 i digging more deeply into and gripping more securely the end panels l2. After each end panel I is secured to each of the side panels I3, forming a rectilinear construction without top or bottom, the unit of end and side panels or sections is placed on the bottom panel II in such a manner as will cause the insertion of the bottom edges of each end panel I2 between each pair of strips or battens I5 and I5' on the bottom panel or section and in gripping engagement with the angular projections 2l or 2|.

Thus an entire receptacle, with the exception of a cover, is completed or assembled by the simple expedient of inserting the ends of adjacent panels into securing means formed on separate panels, thus largely eliminating further operations such as hammering, crimping, etc.

Similar to the assembly of the endV panels I2 and the side panels I3, the addition of the bottom panel II provides for the same constant security against loosening or pulling apart because of the increased grip or biting of the angular projections 2| or 2|.

After the receptacle has been lled the cover I4 is nailed or wired in place, this operation requiring the only secondary operation in the entire assembly.

The cover Id is nailed or wired in place to the end panels I2 and the side panels I3 merely to effect easy removal of the cover without destroying the receptacle. Similar securing means as are employed in securing together the side, end, and bottom panels or sections, may be employed in securing the top or cover to the receptable.

It will be apparent that only the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown, and various clips of the type disclosed may be employed Without departing from. the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination with a container having a pair of side panels, a pair of adjacent end panels and an adjacent bottom panel, of securing means on each of said side panels, securing means on said adjacent bottom panel, said securing means comprising clip holding members and resilient gripping elements cooperating with said holding members, and penetrating extensions on said elements bent in the direction of introduction of the end panels, whereby each of said end panels is secured to each of said adjacent side panels and to said adjacent bottom panels by the gripping action of said resilient gripping elements upon insertion, in a direction substantially at right angles to an adjacent panel, of each of said end panels between said securing means on said adjacent side panels and between said securing means on said adjacent bottom panel.

2. A resilient gripping element for attaching adjacent panels at right angles, said gripping element consisting of spring metal and comprising a base portion adapted to be secured to one of said panels, a bent extension at one end of said base portion and substantially at right angles thereto, and an acute angular projection at the free end of said bent extension, said angular projection extending downwardly toward the free end of the rst leg being thereby inclined in the direction of introduction of an adjacent panel for gripping engagement therewith to prevent withdrawal of the assembled panels.

3. A resilient gripping element for securing adjacent panels at right angles, said gripping element consisting of an angular member of spring metal one leg of which is adapted to be secured to one of said panels with the second leg upright, the second leg being bent at its free end to form an acute angular projection, said angular projection extending downwardly toward the free end of the rst leg being thereby inclined in the direction of and extending into the path of introduction of an adjacent panel for gripping engagement therewith to prevent separation of the assembled panels.

4. A resilient gripping element for securing adjacent panels at right angles, said gripping element consisting of an angular member of spring metal one leg of which is adapted to be secured to one of said panels with the second leg upright, the second leg being formed with a rolled portion, said rolled portion being further bent away'from said second leg to form an angular projection, said angular projection extending downwardly toward the free end of the first leg being thereby inclined in the direction of and extending into the path of introduction of an adjacent panel for gripping engagement therewith to prevent separation of the assembled panels.

ROMAN F. WEBER. 

